BRITTON – In a rematch of a one-run 2025 regional final, the Summerfield softball team beat Manchester 6-4 in a district final on Friday.
After Manchester won 2-1 in Morenci in the regional a year ago, Friday’s rematch was another close game, with pitchers Avary DuRussel of Manchester and Brea Olmstead of Summerfield in control. DuRussel struck out 14 and allowed one earned run on seven hits. Olmstead struck out 13.
“Brea Olmstead in that pitcher’s mound, man, she’s been solid for us all four years,” Bulldogs coach Christine Zappone said. “She wanted this more than anybody else and it showed in there. Without all those strikeouts, those positions that she’s pitching, we don’t win that ball game either. …. Manchester beat us last year in regionals. We were hungry to come back and, sure enough, took the job on.”…